Serengeti Migration Area Featured, Top Destinations

The Greater Serengeti Migration Area refers to a huge area that incorporates a number of national parks, including Serengeti and the Ndutu region of Ngorongoro. Vast plains, rolling hills, volcanic mountains and forested areas make for breath-taking scenery. Add to that abundant wildlife and the annual circular migration through the region of millions of wildebeest, zebra, antelope (and their predators), and you have the perfect safari setting.

The Greater Serengeti Migration Area refers to the area through which millions of wildebeest, zebra, antelope and their predators migrate in a circular route each year. It includes over 30 000 km² of land through numerous game parks including the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti, Maswa, Loliondo, Seronera, Grumeti Reserve, Ikorongo and Kenya’s Maasai Mara.

The Great Migration

Often referred to as ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’, the movement of almost two million wildebeest, 500 000 zebra, hundreds of thousands of antelope, followed closely by those that hunt them, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The annual migration actually happens all year, as the animals move in a circular route through the area in search of better grazing and water.

In the wet season (November to March), the herds are mainly on the southern plains – northern Ngorongoro Conservation Area and around Ndutu – with all their new-born calves. The predators have a field day during this time. As the rains stop in March, the herds move through the central area to the western corridor (Grumeti River area), and then north to the northern area and Mara river, the border between Tanzania and Kenya around May.

The famous crossings happen at the Grumeti River in the western corridor around June/July and at the Mara River in August/September going upwards, and around October coming down. In November, the herds move southwards again, arriving back on the southern plains in November/December.

Game in The Greater Serengeti Migration Area

There are many places in the area that have resident game that don’t participate in the migration, making them a wonderful safari option. The Big Five live here, as do large numbers of antelope, giraffe, zebra and monkeys and all the wild cats.

While some areas may be quiet animal-wise when the migration has headed off, there are pockets which offer spectacular game viewing opportunities. Speak to one of our consultants to guide you to the best places.

Things to See and Do in the Greater Serengeti Migration Area

Game drives – both day and night

Witness the Great Migration

Hot air ballooning at dawn over Serengeti

Meet local tribes and learn about their customs and traditions

Walking safaris to get up-close to the micro-systems of the African bush

Mobile tented camping – move around in order to get the best game sightings

Be enchanted by all the baby wildebeest during calving season around Lake Ndutu (around February)

Horseback safaris

Best Time to Visit

There is no ‘bad’ time to visit the Greater Serengeti Migration Area, as many areas have resident game that doesn’t follow the migration route.

The short rains usually fall around November and December, and the long rains around March to May. Dry season is between June and October. Some camps close during the wet season.

If seeing the Great Migration is top of your bucket list, please remember that nature works to her own schedule and the movement of the animals is unpredictable and highly dependent on the rains and weather. There is a pattern as to where they move and, based on previous years, experts can provide an estimate of when they’ll be where. Speak to our consultants about the best time to go, and where, to getting the best chances of witnessing this incredible natural phenomenon.

Do remember though, that this area is one of the world’s best game viewing parks, even if you miss the migration!

Getting There

By car: Ngorongoro is about 185 km from Arusha by road. The trip can take between two and four hours. Serengeti is further on (about 325 km from Arusha). The road passes Lake Manyara, goes through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area past Olduvai Gorge, and takes approximately eight hours.

By air: There are daily flights from Arusha to Lake Manyara Airstrip, from where it is a scenic 1½ hour trip to the Ngorongoro Crater. Flights into Serengeti can land at a number of airstrips, including Seronera or Grumeti and daily scheduled flights run throughout high season. Charter flights are also available. Arusha is served by two airports: domestic Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport with daily flights from local, African and international destinations.

Malaria is a consideration in Serengeti Migration Area

Tour & Safari Options

Covering over 30 000 km² and incorporating a number of the world’s best-known game parks such as Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Maasai Mara, tours to the area promise breath-taking scenery and excellent game viewing. If you time it right, you may even see ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ – the Great Migration.

Available Accommodation

Accommodation in Greater Serengeti Migration Area

This area is known for the Great Migration – an annual, circular route followed by millions of wildebeest, zebra, antelope and those that prey on them. It covers a vast tract of land including a number of the world’s most famous game parks.

Featured Accommodation

Serengeti Migration Camp

Perched on a rocky kopje near the Grumeti River in northern Serengeti, this tented camp provides a luxurious camping experience. Time it right and you’ll not only get to see the abundant resident game, you may catch the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of the Great Migration passing through.

Featured Accommodation

Kati Kati Camp

This mobile tented camp is set up in one of the best game-viewing spots on the plains of central Serengeti. It is rustic rather than luxurious, but with fully-equipped, en-suite tents, you’ll experience a more refined version of camping in the wild African bush. It’s a true safari experience.

Featured Accommodation

Serengeti Migration Camp

Perched on a rocky kopje near the Grumeti River in northern Serengeti, this tented camp provides a luxurious camping experience. Time it right and you’ll not only get to see the abundant resident game, you may catch the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of the Great Migration passing through.

Featured Accommodation

Serengeti Sopa Lodge

With sweeping views over the vast plains of the world-renowned Serengeti, rich with wildlife, this relatively large lodge is bright and cheerful. There is resident game all-year-round and, if you time it right, you may even catch the Great Migration passing through: a once-in-a-lifetime experience.